Interprofessional Stroke Case Discussion for Senior Pre-Health or Health Professional Students

Abstract

Abstract Introduction This case is designed for senior pre-health or health professional students to investigate how dentists, physicians, pharmacists, and physical therapists work together to provide comprehensive care to a patient who has experienced a stroke. The case can be used to discuss the contributions of any two or more of these professions and can easily be adapted to include additional professions. Students are placed into interprofessional teams to learn about, from, and with each other. Methods Prior to the large group case discussion, learners are provided with the case and a preassignment “grid,” and asked to individually identify health problems that can be addressed by their own profession as well as other professions while the patient is in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Students then meet with their interprofessional teams to discuss their findings prior to the conference. During the case conference, interprofessional faculty facilitate discussion regarding the contributions of each profession in the care of the patient and the communication processes between professionals. Students are also asked to identify additional health professionals that may be consulted during the patient's recovery. Results Students who participated in our University's Summer Academic Enrichment Program were asked to list their most interesting sessions while in the program. The interprofessional case conference was listed as one of the top three most interesting sessions. Seventy-eight percent of students strongly agreed or agreed that this conference was an important aspect of the program. Ninety-seven percent of program participants strongly agreed or agreed that the assignment was clearly presented and 78% strongly agreed or agreed that the conference met their expectations. Anecdotally, students requested that in the future we include more case conferences with opportunities to work as interprofessional teams. Discussion The case offers rich content for discussion and is effective in highlighting the important contributions of dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists and physicians in providing collaborative care to patients who have experienced a stroke.

Keywords

• Interprofessional
• Stroke
• Dentistry
• Physical Therapy
• Medicine
• Interprofessional Relations